Woman Says Gym Kicked Her Out for Baby Bump

moodboard/Thinkstock (CHARLESTON, S.C.) -- A pregnant Charleston woman claims she was kicked out of a Planet Fitness gym Monday because her baby bump was showing. Melissa Mantor, who was working out on a treadmill at the time of the incident, said an employee asked her to leave because her "belly was hanging out," according to ABC affiliate WCIV.

The employee told Mantor, who is 18 weeks pregnant, that she was unable to continue her workout because she was violating the gym's dress code, which bans string tank tops. Mantor said she has previously frequented the Planet Fitness location in the attire, and even had her photo taken for membership in a similar top.

"I was very confused," she told WCIV. "She continued telling that my belly was hanging out and I need to get it covered up. I told her at that time, 'Of course my belly is hanging out, I am pregnant.'"

The employee handed her a large T-shirt, Mantor added.

A statement from McCall Gosselin, director of public relations for Planet Fitness, explained the particular location had a "stated policy that prohibited bare midriffs."

"In this instance, a staff member approached the member to inform her of the policy and offer her a free T-shirt to complete her workout. She was not asked to leave the gym as a result of her attire."

The company's policy states that managers can use their discretion when it comes to clothing they believe is "either inappropriate, offensive, or will cause safety concerns." Mantor has since cancelled her membership.